Paralegal Hourly Pay in Overland Park, KS: $28.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a paralegal working in Overland Park, KS runs $28.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,140 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 23-2011). Weighted against Overland Park's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,080 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Overland Park, Kansas, paralegals earn a median hourly rate of $28.91, which is below the national median of $31.30. This hourly wage is reflective of the working conditions in various settings, including law firm paralegal cubicles, corporate legal departments, and remote e-discovery teams. For those considering part-time work, such as a 3-day workweek, this hourly rate can lead to a substantial, albeit variable, income depending on hours worked and client demand. For entry-level positions, pay starts at approximately $19.42, while experienced paralegals can make as much as $44.82 per hour, allowing for diverse earning opportunities within the city’s legal field. This range highlights the potential for both flexibility and earning variation, particularly for per-diem workers, who may find that their hourly rate can fluctuate significantly based on the specific nature of their assignments.
About the Overland Park Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Paralegal Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.42 | $155.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.14 | $177.13 |
| Median (P50) | $28.91 | $231.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.89 | $295.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.82 | $358.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Overland Park
Based on $28.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.91/hr, a paralegal working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Overland Park, KS can expect to earn approximately $60,134 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,692. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Overland Park.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Overland Park
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,156.41 | $5,011 | $60,134 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $693.85 | $3,007 | $36,080 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $462.57 | $2,004 | $24,053 |
Compare Paralegal Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Paralegal (Overland Park) | $28.91 |
| Lawyer (National Avg) | $81.25 |
| Legal Secretary (National Avg) | $26.86 |
| Court Reporter (National Avg) | $30.10 |
| Title Examiner / Abstractor (National Avg) | $29.85 |
Paralegals in Overland Park, KS earn a median of $60,140 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.61% lower than the national median of $65,097 and 1.60% above the Kansas state average of $59,193.
Paralegal Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.91/hr = $36,080/year (purchasing power: $39,692).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,134/year (purchasing power: $66,153).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Paralegals in Overland Park (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.51% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for paralegals in Overland Park grew 21.6% from $22.98/hr (2019) to $27.93/hr (2025). At a 3.51% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.93/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem paralegals can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Overland Park metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.51% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Paralegal in Overland Park
Looking more closely, a paralegal in Overland Park working part-time, say 24 hours per week, would take home around $36,400 annually, a considerable figure compared to a full-time salary. Contract paralegal work in the area often offers varying pay scales; for instance, per diem paralegal pay in Overland Park might range from $25 to $50 per hour, whereas freelance e-discovery specialists can earn between $30 and $60 per hour. Those attached to small businesses might find themselves making $40 to $75 per hour, while trial prep paralegals could command between $50 and $90 during active litigation. Hourly rates can differ based on the type of employer; BigLaw firms may provide a premium but demand longer hours, while in-house corporate legal departments often offer steady compensation with a favorable work-life balance. Paralegals should consider the trade-offs between higher hourly wages without benefits and lower rates that come with health insurance. Practical negotiation tips may include emphasizing your skills, especially if you possess e-discovery training aligned with NALA or NFPA standards, which could enhance your leverage in discussions about your paralegal hourly pay in Overland Park, KS.
More salary data for Overland Park, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jessica Tran, JD
Career Analyst
Jessica Tran has 10 years of experience in paralegal studies. She specializes in corporate law and works with a law firm. She trains new paralegals in legal research and documentation.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.51% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for paralegals in Overland Park. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Overland Park is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.51%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for paralegals (SOC 23-2011).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, JD, a licensed paralegal with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov